Giveaway & latest news About Photography
What makes a photo truly meaningful?
Today I want to share a recent interview with Alec Soth, who explains why chasing style can be dangerous and why finding your voice matters so much more.
From his most famous photograph of Charles with the model airplanes to his reflections on creative freedom, Soth reminds us that great photography isn't about presets, trends, or technical perfection. It's about doing the inner work and discovering what has meaning to you.
Hello fellow photographers!
I hope you're having a great start to November! Every month we explore the incredible world of photography together. If you want to discover more amazing photographers subscribe to this newsletter.
Today's Photography Newsletter:
• Photography book Giveaway - Alec Soth - Advice for Young Artists
• What makes a photo truly meaningful?
• Editor's picks
• Future giveaways and what's next
Photography Book Giveaway - Alec Soth - Advice for Young Artists
You may have already noticed, but the new video is out! You can watch it on YouTube and I'm giving away Alec's book Advice for Young Artists. All you need to do is leave a comment under the video. You can write something about Alec's work if you appreciate his photography. The winner will be announced next month in this newsletter.
You can watch the video on YouTube.
What makes a photo truly meaningful?
That is actually the topic of the video above, and it made me think. It's not simply about getting technical settings right, copying a trend, or chasing a "look" everyone else is using. What Alec Soth argues is that the meaningful photo begins when the photographer asks "what matters to me?" - when they engage with what they care about, not just how it looks. As he puts it: a monkey can take a good picture, what is hard is taking a picture that has meaning to you.
Meaning is born in the space between the photographer and the world - the messy, unsure space of exploration. Soth reminds us that great work often comes from embracing uncertainty, trying things, and staying open rather than locking into a style too early. In other words, finding your voice matters more than defining a fixed style.
If you begin with the question "Why am I making this?" rather than "How does this look?" then your photos can carry something deeper - an impulse, a value, a connection.
What gives your photos meaning? Let me know in the comments.
Editor's Picks
Here are a few articles I think you shouldn't miss that we've published recently:
Eric Meola – Eric Meola Made Color His Subject In this interview, Meola reveals how colour became his main subject, not just the setting for his pictures but the emotion behind them. From vibrant ceremonies in India to tornadoes across the Great Plains, he treats each image like a painting and each hue like a voice.
Steve McCoy – How "Bad Family Photos" Became an Art Project McCoy turned everyday family chaos into a powerful photography project. He embraced rejects, accidents and awkward moments and found that honesty and humour often outlast polished perfection. This article is a reminder that meaningful work can come from embracing imperfection.
Phil Penman – From New York Streets to Global Cities: 30 Years of Iconic Street Photography Penman's career spans from New York tabloids to alleyways in Tokyo, Paris and beyond. He shares the truths of street photography: systems over spontaneity, ethics over exploitation, commitment over shortcuts. A vital read for anyone shooting in the chaos of life.
Richard Misrach – How the "Cargo" Creator Still Finds Magic in Every Sunset After 50 Years Misrach stood in the same spot for years, photographing container ships most of us ignore. His project reveals how repetition, stillness and an open mind can turn the banal into the profound. A masterclass in patience and perception.
Ragnar Axelsson – How Storms, Ice and Silence Turn Into Photographs That Feel Eternal Axelsson's work in the Arctic is more than photography; it's a quiet longevity project tracking nature, culture and climate in places few venture. His images invite us to slow down, listen and see what remains when the noise is gone.
What's Coming Next
Thank you for supporting the blog as well as the YouTube channel. Just for November alone there are 3 more videos coming up every Monday. So if you haven't subscribed to the YouTube channel yet, here's your chance. Each video will have a separate giveaway so I can share these amazing books with you.
See you next month!
- Martin
Patreon
You might have noticed mentions of our Patreon section. Your support on Patreon plays a crucial role in keeping the About Photography blog active, allowing me to share my passion for the artistic side of photography, a focus that’s more challenging to sustain financially than gear-centric blogs. Thank you so much to all who have joined; your support is not just appreciated, it’s transformative. You can still join and contribute to the community board for free. While I truly value everyone who supports this project, please know that contributing is entirely optional.
What turns a childhood magic trick into fifty years of legendary photography? For Eric Meola, it started in a basement darkroom at age twelve. Interviews